Each Member a Missionary Vestry Retreat

VESTRY RETREAT

St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo New York; 2/7-8/03

Theme: Each Member a Missionary

Friday Evening

Overview of the Retreat

Sharing

What led you to become active in the church now?

What led you to become to be a member of the Vestry?

Saturday Morning

Practice in discerning some of our present missions – distinguish between “body missions” and “member missions” – sample worksheet reviewed

1. Individual reflection – each pair or trio assigned a specific mission field

a mission is specific

a mission includes both direct and implied tasks to achieve it

a mission is discerned as what God is calling one to do, to be, or to change

2. Work individually to complete worksheets provided – at least 7 minutes

3. Sharing in pairs or trios; then, in plenary, one from each mission field – leader presses for specifics, for seeking a teammate, and for actual words that might be used

Repractice as time allows

What are some of our observations or learnings?

Saturday Afternoon

Consider: a vision that draws you on – every member on mission wherever they are all the time; and a structure – a mission statement calling for supporting the members in their daily living as Christians; and an action – the members discerning their daily missions in their mission fields

Implications for reorganizing the congregational life of the Cathedral*

Eucharist

*Areas for possible consideration

A look at the mission of St. Paul’s

Integrating any modifications into the life of the congregation

Forming members as missionaries

A spirituality of being co-workers with God

Helping members to name their present missions

Change and feedback – for individuals – for organizations / systems

Small groups

Worship and preaching

Training leaders

Other implications